Internal combustion engine



Feb. 16,1932. v, PALM 1,845,177

I INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Oct. 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR I (aw/MW *Mmg Feb. 16, 1932. v. H. PALM INTERNAL COMBUTION ENGINE Filed 001;. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 will! W 1 I a I 4 v, 2 aka.

(mfil-NvENToRj WWW Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES VICTOR n. PALm'or. BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENG-IN E Application filed. October 3, 1530. SerialNo. 486,086.

My invention relates to internal combustion engines of the two cycle type, and more particularly to valve mechanism therefor.

One object of my invention is to. provide a two cycle engine having power and pumping cylinders arranged in tandem, and 1mproved valve mechanism for controlling the inlet passages of the associated power and pumping cylinders. v

Another object of my invention-is to pro} vide a valve mechanismof unitary and simplified construction, and of novelarrange-f ment of parts whereby only a single actuating member is necessary to actuate, the same.

Further objects in the construction and operation of my invention willbe apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein.

Figure l is a side elevational view of a four-cylinder internal. combustion engine embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2' is a view taken on the line.II-II of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 oft-he drawings, my invention involves the use of a plurality of power cylinders 4, 4a, 4b and 40, each power. cylinder being arranged in tandem with a pump cylinder 5, 5a, 5b and 5c,-respect1vely. Although four pairs of associated power and pump cylinders are shown, algreater or; less number of pairs may be employed, as desired. As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, thepump cylinder 5 is mounted on a crankcase; 6 in which a crankshaft 7 is journalled. The power cylinder 4 is provided with a cylinder head 8, an inlet port 9, an exhaust port 10,

and a piston 11, the piston 11 controlling the port 10, in its reciprocating movement, to establish connection with the atmosphere through an exhaust passage 12. j The cylinder head 8 and cylinder 4 are provided with usual water passages 13 throughwhich cooling water circulates to prevent overheating of the parts. An intermediate head 14 is disposed between the cylinders hand 5, and is provided with a stuffing box 15 for packing a piston rod 16 that connects the power piston 11 with a piston '17 of thepump cylinder 5. A vent 18 is provided in the wall-of the power 7 cylinder between the underside of the piston 11 and, the intermediate head 14 to provide for the flow ofcooling air at the underside of the power piston-11. The pump piston lZ is connected bya. wrist. pin 19a to a connecting rod 19,which is journaled on a crank 20 of the crank shaft 7, the various cranks 20 being disposed on. the quarter relatively to one another. v

Acam shaft 21 is journalledin thecrank case in parallel alinement with the crank shaft 7 and is rotated at thefsame speed as the crankshaft, throughstiming gears '22 55 and 23 which are 'shown'more clearly in Fig. 1. The cam shaft 21 carries a series of cams 24 that "are disposed in relative angular re? lation to each other in a manner .wellknown inthe art, in order to, effect proper timing 0 of Valve-mechanism that is provided for controlling the inlet passage of each, power cylinder. 7 g

In the ordinaryflforin of two cycle engines, 7 a valve mechanism is-employed for control: ling the inlet passagesof the power cylin: ders, and a separate valve mechanism isused therewith to provide for the proper control of the ingress and egress of fluid to the pumping cylinders. In such a structure, a second series ofcams is usually provided, or a duplicate cam shaftand cams are used, to actuate the valve mechanism of the pumpfcylinders.

"Still other .forms of valve mechanism are used, suchas gear driven rotary valves; in any case, necessitating the use of duplicate parts or additional equipment to provide for the necessary: control of fluid flow to and from thevarious associated cylinders. It.- is tobe noted, however, that inaccordance with my invention, I provideonly one cam for actuating and timing avalve mechanism-for each ower cylinder and its associated pump cylin er, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby eliminating the duplicate parts and addi-- tional equipment ordinarily employed. v Referring more particularlyto Fig. ,8 of: the drawings, the cylinderheadfiv of; each power cylinder is providedv with an extendat 26, the inlet 9 having communication with the recess. A poppet valve 27 is supported within the recess 26 by a valve-supporting member 28 which is positioned in the recess, and retained therein by means of a casing 29 of the valve mechanism which is secured to the underside of the extended portion 25. The member 28 is provided with a valve seat to accommodatethe disc of the valve 27.

The valve 27 is provided with astem 30 that extends downwardly through a guide portion 31 of the member 28, and centrally of the casing 29. A valve spring32 encircles;

the valve stem30 and one end of the spring abuts the lower end of the valve stem guide 7 31, and the other end engages a stop member or collar 33' which is rigidly carried by the valve stem, thereby to normally maintain the valve 27 in closed position. A spring-receiv' r: ing cup 34 is interposed between the'spring 32 andthe guide portion 31, to retain the sp'ringcent-rally of the valve stem. A sleeve valve 35 is reciprocably positioned in the lower end of the valve casing 29, and as is provided with a vented passageway 35a in whi'chthe lower end of the valve stem is slidably supported. The valve in actuated by movements of the sleeve'valve however, the valve 35 has a predetermined amount of free motion before engagin the" valve stem 30 to actuate the valve'27, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. A spring 38 is interposed between'the collar; 33 and the valve'35 to normally bias the same L12" toward open position, the spring 38, of course, being relatively weaker than the spring 32. A I

The sleeve valve 35 is secured to one'end of a push rod 36 that is provided with'a cam a roller or follower 37 at its lower end; The .1 cam roller 37 engages the cam 24 and is actuated thereby to impart operating movement to the valves 35 and 27. The cam 24 is pro vided with raise portion 24a which first la engages the follower 37, thereby moving the valve 35 to'closed position without moving the valve 27' to open position due to the lostlnotion engagement'between the valve 35 and the stem 30;: i 1 v sc Thecam 24 is providedwith a raise portion' 24?) thaten'gages the follower 37, follow ing' engagement thereof with the portion 24a, to impart further vertical movement to the valve 35, thereby moving the valve 27 to open 5d position; This double movement "of the be hereinafter explained;

' The sleeve valve 35 is provided with ports or pa-ssageways 40 that are brought into registry with ports 41 in the wall or the casing 29 when the valve-isinth'e normal open positions Theports 41" communicate with the interior of a casing or-manifold 42 which encircles the casing 29', and an opening 43 valves 35 and 27 is necessary for a purposeto isprovided in the casing 42 to establish com munc-iation with the atmosphere there through. However, by the use of the manifold 42 on each of the valve mechanism casing for each power cylinder, all the manifolds may be connected to a common pipe line to which an air filter may be attached, or such pipe line may be connected to a suitable fuel supply or to a c-ar bureting device.

The valve casing 29 is provided with an intake port 44 through which fluid under pressure from the pump cylinder which is associated therewith is conducted to the valve .2 h Q QiOlS-the passageway to its power cylinder. Each of the pump cylinders 5, 5a, 5b and 5c-is-provided with a port 45 to permit ingress and egress of fluid thereto for compression. The ports 44 leading to the valves 27 of the powerfcylinders 4, 4a., 4b and 4c are connected by conduits '46, 47, 48 and 49 to the ports 45 of the pump cylinders 5a, 50,5and5b,'respectively,the pistonsflin the pump cylinders being'SJ O in the'le'ad of the pistons in the power cylinders, in the order of connection named'. H i The heads 8 of the power cylinders arepro- 3 vided with fuel nozzles 50 which are'provided with'fuelflines 51 leading to a fuel injectorpump 52 (Fig.- l). The pump 52 is actuated through suitable 3 gearing 53 which is driven by the cam shaft'2l.

operation of theengine is as follows D'uring'the power stroke of. the pistons of the power cylinders 4, 4a, 4band 4c, the valves 27 controlling the'inlets there f'will be closed, while the sleeve valves 35 th tare associated 335 therewith will'be in'either open or closepositionpdepending'upo n'the position of the actuating cam 24 therefor. Since the power cylinders are connected to the charging "'or' pump cylinders that are in'the lead there of, respectively, the sleeve valves 35 that .control the inlets of the pump cylinders are to be actuated 90 in thelead of the power valves 27 with which theyare associated. Therefore, the actuating cams 24 for eachvalve 3 mechanism are disposed on the cam shaft in angu'lar'rela'tion of 90'with respect to eachother." However;sincei'the sleeve valves 35' are to be actuated 90. the le'eadof the poppet valves '27 ,each cam 24 is disposed on 1? the cam shaft in leadingr elation' of 90 with the crank shaft, that is, "with the raise 24a inadvance of the crank20. rims, as the pistons of the pump cylinders are; 9 in advance of the-pistons of the power cylinders with which they are associated and the cams 24 are disposed in leading relation of'90 f with the crank shaft, the inlets of the pump cylinders will beclose'd'by theaction of the cams 24 moving the valves35 to closed" 3 position at the end ofthe suction,"or intake, stroke of the pump'pistons at the time when the power pistons of the'associ'ated power cylindersare atone half of their power stroke. Further, due to the lost inotioi'i'opei ation connection between the valve 35 and the valve 27 or the predetermined free movement of the valve 35 on the stem of'the'valve 27, as hereinbefore described, the valve is moved to closed position without effecting, or transmitting opening movement to the valve 27 of a power cylinder duringthe power stroke of its piston.

At the end of the power stroke of the power pistons, the intake valves 27 will be actuated by the engagement of the raise 24b of'the cams 24 with the cam followers 37, whereby the valves 35 will be raised further to move the valves 27 to open position. Since the exhaust ports 10 of the power cylinders are uncovered by the power pistons at a predee termined point of the power strokes, the power cylinders are exhausted thereby; and,

as the intake valve 27 of each power cylinder opens, air under pressure from the associated pumpcylinder, the piston of which is at this time at the one-half point of its compression stroke, is admitted to scavenge the power cyl inder so long as the exhaust port remains uncovered. r

The dwell of the raise portion 24b of the cam 24 is such that the valves 27 remain open until the pistons of the pump cylinders reach the end of their compression strokes, the charge of which is being transferred through the connecting conduits to the associated power cylinders, thereby assuring a complete and fresh charge. for the same, after which the cams permit the valves 27 and 35 to move to closed and open position, respectively,

under therinfluence of the bias springs32,

and 38, such position being shown in Fig. 3. Y

Somewhat specifically, a cycle of movement of the engine is as follows c When the power cylinder pi ton 11 and the pump cylinder piston 17 are] at their lower stroke, as shown in the drawings, the power cylinder 4 is exhausted by virtue of its piston uncovering the exhaust, port 10 and scavenging air under pressure from the associated pump cylinder 5a, the piston of which ison its compression stroke, is delivered through cone duit 46 and admitted past the valve 27 to scavenge the cylinder 4 so long as the exhaust port 10 remains uncovered. The valve 27 has been moved to open position by virtue of the raised portion 24?) on the cam 24 engaging the cam follower 37 the cam 24 being in the position shown in Fig. 2 at the lower end of the power stroke. Also, a new charge of air has been drawn into the pump cylinder 5 through the port and the conduit 48, such air charge being admitted to the conduit '48 through the opening 43, the registering ports 40 and 41 in the sleeve valve 35 and the valve casing 29, respectively, such valve and casing being associated with the power cylinder 4?), Fig. 1, and through the port 44 of said valve casing 29, as shown by the full line arrows in Fig.3.

The air charge in pump cylinder 5 is compressed on the upstrokeof its piston and de livered' through conduit 48 to the valve casing 29, as shown by the dotted line arrows in Fig. 3, the sleeve valve 35 thereof having been moved to closed position by its actuating cam 24 uponthe engagementof the raise'portion 24a with the cam follower 37, immediately following the end of the power stroke of thepistonlla I i V w r As the piston of the power cylinder 4?) is on its power-stroke following the power stroke of the piston 11,"the exhaust port. of the-power cylinder is uncovered andthe cylinder sea-venged in .the'same manner as described for the power cylinder 4, by'the opening of its valve 27 under the influence of the raised portion 24biof its cam 24. g During thecompression stroke of the power piston 11, the exhaust port 10'is covered and the compressed air charge from the. pump cylinder 5a is continued to the power'cylinder 4 through the conduit46 and past the valve 27, until the piston of the pump .cylin-l der 5a reachesthe upper end of itscompression stroke, at whichtime the cam follower 37 is released from the raised 24?) of the cam 24,- thereby to permit the valves 27 and 35 to close and'open, respectively.

.Fuel is injected into the powercylinders through-the fuel nozzle 50 in timed relation to thecompression stroke of the power. cylinders, and the heat of compressionof. the air charge willfire the fuel charge. An induction ignition system of any we'll-known type that utilized an electric spark may-be ems loyed to firethefuel charge,-if desired; 7

' NVithjone revolutionof the crank shaft, and with the cranks on the quarter, the firing order for each power cylinder will be 4, 4b, 40 and 4a, and the ,pump cylinders operate to scavenge and charge the power cylinders in the following sequence: cylinder; 5 delivers its charge to the power cylinder 45; 5b to 40 5cto4aand 5a to 4., 1-. 1

JIt is evident from the foregoing description of this invention that two cycle internal combustion engines, formed in accordance herewith, may bescavenged and charged in. a positive and-efficientmanner; and that a single cam arrangement may be employed to actuate a simplified double-acting valve struc-; ture, of unitary form to accuratelyqtime the. various phases'in the operation of theengine I claim as myinventionr- 1 -1. The combination witha two cycle inter-H na-l combustion engine having a plurality of pairsof power and pump cylinders arrangedv in tandem, superposed-pistons in each pair of cylinders, and each power cylinder having aconduit connectionwith the pump cylinderthe piston of which isin predetermined lead-. ing relation with thepiston of the associated power cylinder, of a valve mechanism forv controlling iair charges for said associated power andpump cylinders through said con-- dem,

diiit, a pai o interconnected valves in said mechani m, nd means driven :by the engine ioractnatingione of the valves ofisaid mechani minI-t med relation to the. movement of the piston ofthe power cylinder and for actuatingthe other valvein timed relation to the, movement. ofthe piston of the associated pmnp cylinder.

2. The combination with a two cycle inter: nal combustion engine havingaplurality of pairs ,of power and pump cylinders arranged in tandem, superposed pistons in each pair of cylinders, a conduit connecting the .power ylinderofone pair @with a pump cylinder of another pair, the piston of which'is in predetermined leading relation withthepiston of the associated power cylinder, and a cam shaft, of. a valve mechanism having a pair of valves-forcontrollingthejflow of air charges forsaid associated powerrand pump cyl-in-' ders through said conduit, and a single cam on said cam shaft 'for successively actuating the said valves of the valvemechanism of-each pair of cylinders in timed relation to the movjement each of the pistons of the associated cylinders.

' 3.1m an internal combustion engine, the combination with a plurality of pairs of power and pump acylinders arranged in tansuperposedpistons-in each pair of cylinders, :a crankshaft and a cam shaft, of a valve mechanismtherefor, comprising a valve casing, a valve controlled passageway between said casing and said power cylinder, a

-' valve'controlled passage between said casing and the atmosphere, a conduit-communieating with the interior of said casing and having connection with-the inlet port of the pump cylinder, the-piston ofwhich is in predetermined leading relation with the piston o-fsthe power cylinder, andimeans on said cam shaft having-operative connection with said valves for successively operating the same in timed relation to the movement of the pistons-of-the associated power and pump cylinders. I

4.111 an internal combustion engine, the combination with a power cylinder and a pump cylinder, a piston in each cylinder, the

"- piston ofthe power cylinder adapted for movement in a leading relation to the movement of the pump piston, of a valve mechanismtherefor, comprising a valve casing having a port therein communicating with the atmosphere, a valve in the casing for controlling communication with the atmosphere,-

an air passageway in the power and pump cylinders, a "conduit establishingcommunication between the airpassage of the pump cylinder and-the interior of the said casing, a second valve inthe casing for controlling the inlet of-the power cylinder, and having lostmotion-operat-ing connection with the firstn-amed valve, andmeans operated by the engine, for successively actuating said valves 7 in timed relation with the movement or the pistons of the said cylinders.

5. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a plurality of power cylinders, each having :a pump cylinder associated therewith in leading relation to supply air under pressure, to scavenge and charge the same, and pistons in said cylinders of a valve mechanism for each pair of associated power and pump cylinders, comprising a valve casing, a poppet valve having a valve stem forcontrolling the inlet to the power cylinder, a conduitfor effecting communication between the interior of the casing and the air cylinder, a second valve 1n the casing for controlling communication between the interior of the casing and the atmosphere, and a single camrotatable in timed relation to the movement of the said pistons for actuating said valves, the said cam being operative to actuate the second-named valve in the lead of the actuation of the first-named valve.

6. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines of the .two cycle type having a power cylinder and an associated pump cylinder arranged to supply air under pressure to scavenge and charge the same, comprising a casing, a valve disposed at each end of the casing, a passageway leading to the inlet of the power cylinder and controlled by one .of said valves, a passageway in communication with the atmosphere and controlled by the other valve, a conduit establishing communication between the pump cylinder and the interior of the casing, a lost-motion operating connection between said valves, and means for actuating said valves successively in predetermined timed relation.

7. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines of the two cycle type having a power cylinder and an associated pump cylinder arranged to supply air under pressure to scavenge and charge the same, comprising a casing, a valve disposed at each end of the casing, a passageway leading to the inlet of the power cylinder and controlled by one of said valves, a passageway in communication with the atmosphere and controlled by the other valve, a conduit establishing communication between the pump cylinder and the interior of the casing, a lost-motion operating connection between said valves, and a single rotatable cam for actuating said valves successively in predetermined timed relation.

8. A valve mechanism for internalcombustion engines of the two cycle type having a power cylinder'and an associated pump cylinder arranged to supply air under pressure to scavenge and charge the same, comprising a casing, a valve disposed at each end of the casing, a passageway leading to the inlet of the power cylinder and controlled by one prising a casing, a poppet valve having a valve stem disposed at one end of the casing and controlling a passageway leading to the inlet of the power cylinder, a sleeve valve in the other end of the casing and controlling a plurality of ports communicating with the atmosphere, a conduit establishing communication between the pump cylinder and the interior of the casing, the said sleeve valve having lost-motion operating engagement with the lower end of said valve stem, a spring normally maintaining said poppet valve in closed position, a relatively weaker spring positioned to urge the sleeve valve 7 toward open position, and means operatively connected with said sleeve valve for initially actuating the same and for actuating said said-pump cylinder, a valve member insaid casing normally positioned to open communication through the said second port and to close communication through the other port during the suction stroke of the pump piston, and a cam device driven by the engine for successively actuating said valve member in timed relation to the movement of the pump and power pistons, resepectively, the said cam device having a rest portion, whereby the said valve member is maintained in normal position during the suction stroke of the pump piston.

In testimony whereof I, the said VICTOR I-I. PALM, have hereunto set my hand.

VICTOR H. PALM.

poppet valve through further movement of i the said sleeve valve.

10. In an internal combustion engine, a power cylinder, a pump cylinder, a piston in each cylinder, the piston of the pump cylinder being operative in the lead of the power piston, a valve casing having a port therein connected to the inlet of the power cylinder, and a second port open to the atmosphere, a conduit communicating with the interior of said casing and having connection with the said pump cylinder, a valve member in said casing normally positioned to open communication through the said second port and to close communication through the other port during the suction stroke of the pump piston, means driven by the engine for initially actuating said member in timed relation to the movement of the pump piston, to close communication through the said second port, and means driven by the engine for eifecting further actuation of said member in timed relation to the movement of the power piston,

to open communication through the first-i named port.

11. In an internal combustion engine, a power cylinder, a pump cylinder, a piston in each cylinder, the piston of the pump cylinder being operative in the lead of the power piston, a valve casing having a port therein connected to the inlet of the power cylinder, and a second port open to the atmosphere, a conduit communicating with the interior of said casing and having connection with the 

